Apache APISIX vs Layer7 API Management comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Apache and Broadcom are both solutions in the API Management category. Apache is ranked #21 with an average rating of 8.0, while Broadcom is ranked #19 with an average rating of 8.0. Apache holds a 2.0% mindshare in APIM, compared to Broadcom’s 1.9% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Apache users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.

Apache APISIX

Read 2 Apache APISIX reviews

3,481 Views
3,481 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Layer7 API Management

Read 112 Layer7 API Management reviews

7,782 Views
7,626 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Apache APISIX

Layer7 API Management

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Apache APISIX and Layer7 API Management based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two API Management solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Apache APISIX vs. Layer7 API Management Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Apache APISIX vs. Layer7 API Management

September 2026

Download the complete report

Helped 920,769 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Apache APISIX

Ranking in API Management

21st

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Layer7 API Management

Ranking in API Management

19th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

112

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the API Management category, the mindshare of Apache APISIX is 2.0%, down from 3.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Layer7 API Management is 1.9%, down from 2.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

API Management Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Layer7 API Management	1.9%
Apache APISIX	2.0%
Other	96.1%

API Management

Featured Reviews

Ahmed_Sayed

Senior Java Software Developer

Integration with backend systems and runtime configuration simplicity enhance operational efficiency

Apache APISIX is easy to configure. It supports coding for filters and can integrate with many languages. Its configuration at runtime is very easy. You can configure your gateway at runtime without needing to restart the gateway to apply configurations. This is a perfect feature. The service discovery feature integrates with backend systems and provides powerful load balancing. Also, its integration with Keycloak and authorization systems is a valuable feature.

Read full review

C Vvanigalla

Works

Integration capabilities excel and support for varied platforms enhances communication across backend systems

We mainly use REST APIs, and the solution's integration capabilities are excellent. It allows communication with a number of back-end providers and data consolidation. The flexibility to develop APIs for various platforms, from front-end applications to ATM machines, is valuable. Code changes and migration are straightforward, and it supports identity and access management integration.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"I recommend Apache APISIX to others because of its many useful features."

"The most valuable features of Apache APISIX include routing for upstream and frontend services, masking using proxy rewrite, and the integration of different plugins like Prometheus and Grafana."

"This improved our organization, because it gives the management data to discuss for the next course of action and it suggests what to work on, as the next thing."

"It is better than similar Gateway products that I have used in the past."

"It is fairly stable for the Gateway side."

"We definitely get good responses from the technical team and they are quite responsive."

"It is a stable product."

"As an organization grow, you can use CA API Management for authentication purposes through the CA API Gateway. It allows for multiple identity providers with different Active Directories."

"Layer 7 was top-of-class in the Gartner Magic Quadrant, Forrester, and all that stuff, so I did the selection process there and looked at a couple of different competitors."

"I work for an information security company. CA API Management is capable of using tokens for authorization to manage access control for the APIs."

More Layer7 API Management pros

Cons

"The routing algorithms in Apache APISIX, such as node-based and round-robin, could be improved. Introducing more plugins and supporting AI features can enhance the solution."

"The user interface is limited and does not support all features of Apache APISIX."

"However, we are facing challenges in scaling the CA API Management software so we have seriously faced certain challenges when if your API usage goes beyond a certain limit, say 100,000 transactions per minute, I am just throwing out a number, I cannot provide you the real number but we are facing serious challenges in scaling, in clustering the CA API Management software and then making sure that we can reliably meet our transactions as your usage grows on the Cloud."

"Broadcom's push for upgrades from version nine to ten, ten to 10.3, and onwards to twelve needs improvement in migration processes, especially with service dependencies."

"Layer7 API Management should give a clear roadmap of the product and where it is going, and they should not change the underlying layers."

"There is still room for improvement for the CA API Developer Portal. It is still not on par with what the competencies are."

"The policy manager UI shows signs of aging, but it is not a must."

"The UI is very dated."

"Right now, the portal lacks many features."

"Layer7 API Management could be improved in its logging and alert mechanisms."

More Layer7 API Management cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"I think it's competitive. It's not that expensive when you compare CA with the Oracle product."

"There are some costs for maintenance that we are charged, but that seems fair because we get the support."

"I do not have experience with the pricing or licensing of the product."

"Layer7 API Management is cheaper than Apigee."

"Licenses are required to operate the product, but I don't know much about the validity periods attached to it."

"CA API Management has a licensing path. If you want more features, it requires more licenses and more installation time."

"I feel that it is costly for medium-sized companies."

"If the CA pricing for API management would be a little lower, they would be able to cover a broader market."

More Layer7 API Management pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

16%

Comms Service Provider

12%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Outsourcing Company

14%

Construction Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	23
Midsize Enterprise	13
Large Enterprise	84

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Apache APISIX?

The routing algorithms in Apache APISIX, such as node-based and round-robin, could be improved. Introducing more plugins and supporting AI features can enhance the solution.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Apache APISIX?

The primary use case for Apache APISIX is to mask the API endpoints for my microservices and use self-given APIs in Apache APISIX and mask those with the actual real ones. This helps to prevent use...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Apache APISIX?

I rate Apache APISIX an eight out of ten overall. For new users, I advise going through the official documentation deeply to implement the solution efficiently.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Layer7 API Management?

Pricing is more than average. While I am used to Layer7 API Management ( /products/layer7-api-management-reviews ), seeing other products makes the tool's pricing seem high.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Layer7 API Management?

Broadcom's push for upgrades from version nine to ten, ten to 10.3, and onwards to twelve needs improvement in migration processes, especially with service dependencies. The migration path sometime...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Layer7 API Management?

I am not the client. I implement Layer7 API Management ( /products/layer7-api-management-reviews ) for the clients. I have worked on multiple projects as a developer, implementing for Hydro Tasmani...

See all answers

Comparisons

Kong Gateway Enterprise vs Apache APISIX

Compared 14% of the time

WSO2 API Manager vs Apache APISIX

Compared 11% of the time

Traefik Enterprise vs Apache APISIX

Compared 10% of the time

Tencent Cloud API Gateway vs Apache APISIX

Compared 6% of the time

Oracle API Management vs Apache APISIX

Compared 2% of the time

More Apache APISIX Competitors

Apigee vs Layer7 API Management

Compared 13% of the time

MuleSoft API Manager vs Layer7 API Management

Compared 8% of the time

Amazon API Gateway vs Layer7 API Management

Compared 6% of the time

Microsoft Azure API Management vs Layer7 API Management

Compared 6% of the time

Kong Gateway Enterprise vs Layer7 API Management

Compared 5% of the time

More Layer7 API Management Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

API Management

October 2026

Download Apache APISIX product report

Buyer's Guide

Layer7 API Management

October 2026

Download Layer7 API Management product report

Also Known As

No data available

CA API Management, CA Live API Creator, Espresso Logic, CA API Gateway

Overview

Apache APISIX is an open-source API Gateway that supports dynamic routing, plugins, and load balancing. It is highly scalable and suitable for managing, securing, and efficiently controlling API traffic. Users appreciate its flexible and robust capabilities.

Developed for developers and businesses seeking to optimize API management, Apache APISIX offers a range of features tailored to improve performance and adaptability. With support for real-time dynamic updates and a broad plugin ecosystem, it can easily integrate into diverse architectures. This tool caters to a range of use cases, from boosting API efficiency to refining load balancing and traffic management.

What are the key features of Apache APISIX?

Dynamic Routing: Enables users to modify routes without service disruption.
Plugin Framework: Allows the addition of custom features to enhance functionality.
HTTPS and SSL Termination: Increases security for API communications.
Load Balancing: Distributes traffic to optimize resource usage.
Comprehensive Monitoring: Offers real-time insights into API performance.

What benefits should users consider?

Scalability: Quickly adapts to increasing traffic demands.
Performance Enhancement: Optimizes API speed and responsiveness.
Reduced Downtime: Maintains stability with updates and changes.
Security: Enhances protection with strong encryption protocols.

Apache APISIX is widely implemented across industries, including finance and e-commerce, where it manages large volumes of transactions efficiently. Its adaptability allows it to meet specific industry needs, supporting businesses in achieving optimal API performance and security.

Apache

Layer7 API Management is a comprehensive solution that enables organizations to securely expose, manage, and monetize their APIs.

It provides features such as API gateway, developer portal, analytics, and security to ensure seamless integration and control over API traffic.

With Layer7 API Management, businesses can streamline their API operations and drive innovation.

Broadcom

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

1. IBM 2. Microsoft 3. Oracle 4. Salesforce 5. SAP 6. Cisco 7. Dell 8. HP 9. Adobe 10. VMware 11. Accenture 12. Capgemini 13. Deloitte 14. PwC 15. Ernst & Young 16. Infosys 17. TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) 18. Wipro 19. Cognizant 20. HCL Technologies 21. Tech Mahindra 22. Fujitsu 23. Hitachi 24. NEC 25. NTT Data 26. Ericsson 27. Nokia 28. Siemens 29. AT&T 30. Verizon 31. Vodafone 32. Orange

Buyer's Guide

Apache APISIX vs. Layer7 API Management

September 2026

Free Report: Apache APISIX vs. Layer7 API Management

Find out what your peers are saying about Apache APISIX vs. Layer7 API Management and other solutions. Updated: September 2026.

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We monitor all API Management reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.